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Fangirl
While staring you straight in the eye, far above the tips of her Toms, Josie Brant would swear that she does not like Peter Maxx, the teen sensation who causes every girl within a 100-foot radius to scream at ear-shattering decibels. Even if Josie may completely, totally, and unequivocally be his biggest fan.
So when Josie finds out her best friend has won a contest to meet Peter by stealing one of Josie's songs, Josie is overwhelmingly shocked and upset—some of which flies out the window when Ashley introduces Josie to Peter as well. And suddenly, in a whirlwind of Tweets, IMs, texts, and phone calls, Josie finds herself in the middle of a flirtatious friendship that has the potential for complete harmony. But just when everything seems pitch-perfect, the paparazzi flashbulbs explode, along with any notion of a fairy-tale romance.
Author Ken Baker, E! Channel's Chief News Correspondent, uses his inside knowledge to craft a novel authentic to the teen pop idol experience with sincere heart and humor.
So when Josie finds out her best friend has won a contest to meet Peter by stealing one of Josie's songs, Josie is overwhelmingly shocked and upset—some of which flies out the window when Ashley introduces Josie to Peter as well. And suddenly, in a whirlwind of Tweets, IMs, texts, and phone calls, Josie finds herself in the middle of a flirtatious friendship that has the potential for complete harmony. But just when everything seems pitch-perfect, the paparazzi flashbulbs explode, along with any notion of a fairy-tale romance.
Author Ken Baker, E! Channel's Chief News Correspondent, uses his inside knowledge to craft a novel authentic to the teen pop idol experience with sincere heart and humor.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2012
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633 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 27, 2012
(I'm slightly confused. I've had this book since September but GR claims it came out on the second?) Honestly, I read this book because I'm a sucker for romance. And I finished it through obligation. But I did not like this book. First off, I kinda felt like things were advertised to me. HP, facebook, twitter, JB, even just through mentions. Nothing wrong with (some of) these, but UGH. I don't like like when authors mention other things. Once or twice? Okay. Every other page? Not okay.
The second thing the constant "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and "#_____" The latter may be okay, or even endearing in some cases, but that was not this book. I will now share something as a writer I feel: multiple unnecessary punctuation is trademark of a BAD WRITER. Your point is conveyed just as well if you let us add the exclamation marks in our head. If not better.
Then we have how Josie talked. Oh. My. God. THIS is how we learn to stereotype girls. "totes" "Jos-ski" all that stuff. Dear giant pancake batter, help me.
Minor spoilers ahead.
Anyway, Josie goes to a concert in the start, priding herself on being sensible unlike everyone else, who's like this:
Then Josie wins a hug from a song writing competition from whaz-his-face. He likes her lyrics, they text and whatnot. Then there's a scandal. DUH.
And he doesn't believe her.
Then her BBFF (boy best friend forever) suddenly makes it PAINFULLY OBVIOUS he has a crush on her, which she's OBVIOUSLY been oblivious to (which we knew about since about the first page). This is all despite the fact he's just popped up every couple chapters
And has a two line tantrum and how all they are is friends. Well, it's not like he's forthcoming about any OTHER emotions towards her. Whatsoever.
And the book basically ends with a call. Which I'd of hung up after Peter apologized. But being a romance, she forgives him. Just when I thought she was getting a spine.
What I hoped it would be something like (though not entirely fitting, pretty good concept):
And UNLIKE the people in this book, I DO say "lol" and I am NOT a 35 year old mother.
The second thing the constant "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and "#_____" The latter may be okay, or even endearing in some cases, but that was not this book. I will now share something as a writer I feel: multiple unnecessary punctuation is trademark of a BAD WRITER. Your point is conveyed just as well if you let us add the exclamation marks in our head. If not better.
Then we have how Josie talked. Oh. My. God. THIS is how we learn to stereotype girls. "totes" "Jos-ski" all that stuff. Dear giant pancake batter, help me.
Minor spoilers ahead.
Anyway, Josie goes to a concert in the start, priding herself on being sensible unlike everyone else, who's like this:
Then Josie wins a hug from a song writing competition from whaz-his-face. He likes her lyrics, they text and whatnot. Then there's a scandal. DUH.
And he doesn't believe her.
Then her BBFF (boy best friend forever) suddenly makes it PAINFULLY OBVIOUS he has a crush on her, which she's OBVIOUSLY been oblivious to (which we knew about since about the first page). This is all despite the fact he's just popped up every couple chapters
And has a two line tantrum and how all they are is friends. Well, it's not like he's forthcoming about any OTHER emotions towards her. Whatsoever.
And the book basically ends with a call. Which I'd of hung up after Peter apologized. But being a romance, she forgives him. Just when I thought she was getting a spine.
What I hoped it would be something like (though not entirely fitting, pretty good concept):
And UNLIKE the people in this book, I DO say "lol" and I am NOT a 35 year old mother.
November 6, 2012
I picked up this book because I thought it might be good. I was wrong. This book was true. It was true in the sense that every little thing that happened in the book, happen for real life teenage girls. Seeing your favorite singer in concert? It happens. Freaking out with your best friend? It happens. Fighting with your parents? It happens. This book took all things that happen to a fangirl and wrote it down in a way that made you realize how crazy girls are over teenage boy singers; how girls will say just about anything to get what they want; and how important family is. I recommend this book to guys and girls because this book is told in the perspective of both main characters and it helps understand why girls do things and why guys do things. This book was a true account of life of a fangirl and singer.
March 1, 2013
I was really into this! I thought it was the cutest YA book I've read in a while! Peter is the hot rock star teenager dying to be normal and Josie is the normal teenager totally obsessed with Peter the rock star. But she also can "see" the person no one else can. That's just what Peter needs. We get join these two in a sweet young love adventure between tweets and texts. We are a part of their journey in discovering who they are and who they want to be. This is an awesome read! I give this book my thumbs up for sure!
April 6, 2021
Quite possibly the most revolutionary piece of literature ever created. I am tired of denying it. THE TRUTH MUST BE TOLD
December 26, 2014
Blah. Boring... Not even. This book was just plain awful from the writing to the plot to the characters and everything in between.
The Book:: My God, this book was written by an ADULT. You shouldn't even be able to TELL but the characters were so obviously stereotypical teenagers, I think only an eight year old could possibly enjoy this (the cover claims the book is for 12 and up). But seriously, HASHTAGS? Save that for social media, this is a BOOK for cryin' out loud. And really, who talks like "totes", "supes", and "BBFFs"? Seriously, BBFF? Really?
Ugh. Awful 'word choice' with standing, The rest of the book was just as bad. The characters were just plain poorly done, awful in every sense.
Josie Brant. Our main protagonist and the culprit of all our awful word choosing, is a high school loner and inspiring songwriter -That's another thing I had an issue with, her lyrics were AWFUL, couldn't even pass as poetry! Blah. She is just a fourteen year old kid, at one point she thinks she is an Adult (while lying to her mother and sneaking off on a trip to Las Vegas), and that just made me laugh!
Peter Maxx. 16 year old pop singer, popularity like Justin Bieber (who is actually referenced, along with other currently popular celebrities), but feels pressured by his dad's expectations and just wants to be 'so normal'. So tragic! -Major sarcasm, if you haven't noticed. After meeting Josie for the first time, over a billion other fans, he simply can't get this one out of his mind! So what does he do? He becomes text buddies because he feels "he can just be his true self!" with Josie, and invites her to LA for a concert. Hm... Every girl would be DEVASTATED if their celebrity crush fantasy actually played out as boring as Josie's did.
My Rating:: This whole book was a mess! I think it might have tried too hard to focus on both characters, but really, each individual page could hardly stand by itself. I came in with high expectations for this book, despite the average 3 stars it has on Goodreads. Normally, I am a sucker for any book, movie, or tv show that centers around the music industry or performing arts school, but those expectations went down the drain By page 8 (where the first acronym appeared. The first Hashtag appeared on page one.). Also, I tried this book because it popped up in my search for Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl (I read her's first), and maybe my expectations were too high because they coincidentally had the same title. I'll never know, I'll just regret the time I wasted dragging out time before I Really had to keep reading Baker's Fangirl...
The Book:: My God, this book was written by an ADULT. You shouldn't even be able to TELL but the characters were so obviously stereotypical teenagers, I think only an eight year old could possibly enjoy this (the cover claims the book is for 12 and up). But seriously, HASHTAGS? Save that for social media, this is a BOOK for cryin' out loud. And really, who talks like "totes", "supes", and "BBFFs"? Seriously, BBFF? Really?
Ugh. Awful 'word choice' with standing, The rest of the book was just as bad. The characters were just plain poorly done, awful in every sense.
Josie Brant. Our main protagonist and the culprit of all our awful word choosing, is a high school loner and inspiring songwriter -That's another thing I had an issue with, her lyrics were AWFUL, couldn't even pass as poetry! Blah. She is just a fourteen year old kid, at one point she thinks she is an Adult (while lying to her mother and sneaking off on a trip to Las Vegas), and that just made me laugh!
Peter Maxx. 16 year old pop singer, popularity like Justin Bieber (who is actually referenced, along with other currently popular celebrities), but feels pressured by his dad's expectations and just wants to be 'so normal'. So tragic! -Major sarcasm, if you haven't noticed. After meeting Josie for the first time, over a billion other fans, he simply can't get this one out of his mind! So what does he do? He becomes text buddies because he feels "he can just be his true self!" with Josie, and invites her to LA for a concert. Hm... Every girl would be DEVASTATED if their celebrity crush fantasy actually played out as boring as Josie's did.
My Rating:: This whole book was a mess! I think it might have tried too hard to focus on both characters, but really, each individual page could hardly stand by itself. I came in with high expectations for this book, despite the average 3 stars it has on Goodreads. Normally, I am a sucker for any book, movie, or tv show that centers around the music industry or performing arts school, but those expectations went down the drain By page 8 (where the first acronym appeared. The first Hashtag appeared on page one.). Also, I tried this book because it popped up in my search for Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl (I read her's first), and maybe my expectations were too high because they coincidentally had the same title. I'll never know, I'll just regret the time I wasted dragging out time before I Really had to keep reading Baker's Fangirl...
November 7, 2012
This review was originally posted on my book blog: Written By Brittan
Fangirl is a fun read with meaningful undertones. The characters are all really fun to read about. The storyline blow me away. Ken Baker did a incredible job writing this book.
Josie's fairytale begins at a concert when she makes eye contact with teen sensation Peter Maxx. The day after the concert Josie finds out that her friend Ashely stole her song and sang it for a Peter Maxx contest and then won the chance to meet Peter Maxx. When Ashely meets Peter for winning she tells about taking Josie's song, so Josie also gets to meet Peter. Peter feels a connection with Josie and asks her for her Twitter username. Peter and Josie's fairytale relationship starts as just freinds and might just become more. Even though her secret thing with Peter is a fairytale doesn't mean her whole life is, she struggle though some family issues through out the book. So does Peter.
Josie and Peter were really fun to read about. Josie is just a normal girl with a passion for music. She is not really popular, she actually is a bit of a loner. Peter is that celebrity that pretty much every teenage girl has a crush on, but Peter has problems too. I really liked how Peter was a bit relatable and had a bit of dept to his character and he was not just a celebrity but also a person. I also liked how the background characters played such a major part in what happens with Josie and Peter's relationship.
Josie and Peter both struggle with family issues through out the book. That really made this book unique to me. There is a fairytale celebrity relationship, but also there was this finding who you are bit to it also. This book is a perfect blend of Chic Lit and Contemporary.
Ken Baker did an amazing job creating this story, and putting me it. I felt like I was Josie the whole time I read this book. It blows me away that he was able to do that, while the book was written in third person. It also switched characters each chapter. So to be able to feel like I was Josie and to feel all the emotion she was feeling, with it being written in third person and changing characters each chapters is amazing.
I loved this book. The writing was beautiful. The storyline and character were fun and entertaining. Ken Baker was able to make me feel like I was in the book and with the way it was written, it blow me away that he was able to achieve that.
Fangirl is a fun read with meaningful undertones. The characters are all really fun to read about. The storyline blow me away. Ken Baker did a incredible job writing this book.
Josie's fairytale begins at a concert when she makes eye contact with teen sensation Peter Maxx. The day after the concert Josie finds out that her friend Ashely stole her song and sang it for a Peter Maxx contest and then won the chance to meet Peter Maxx. When Ashely meets Peter for winning she tells about taking Josie's song, so Josie also gets to meet Peter. Peter feels a connection with Josie and asks her for her Twitter username. Peter and Josie's fairytale relationship starts as just freinds and might just become more. Even though her secret thing with Peter is a fairytale doesn't mean her whole life is, she struggle though some family issues through out the book. So does Peter.
Josie and Peter were really fun to read about. Josie is just a normal girl with a passion for music. She is not really popular, she actually is a bit of a loner. Peter is that celebrity that pretty much every teenage girl has a crush on, but Peter has problems too. I really liked how Peter was a bit relatable and had a bit of dept to his character and he was not just a celebrity but also a person. I also liked how the background characters played such a major part in what happens with Josie and Peter's relationship.
Josie and Peter both struggle with family issues through out the book. That really made this book unique to me. There is a fairytale celebrity relationship, but also there was this finding who you are bit to it also. This book is a perfect blend of Chic Lit and Contemporary.
Ken Baker did an amazing job creating this story, and putting me it. I felt like I was Josie the whole time I read this book. It blows me away that he was able to do that, while the book was written in third person. It also switched characters each chapter. So to be able to feel like I was Josie and to feel all the emotion she was feeling, with it being written in third person and changing characters each chapters is amazing.
I loved this book. The writing was beautiful. The storyline and character were fun and entertaining. Ken Baker was able to make me feel like I was in the book and with the way it was written, it blow me away that he was able to achieve that.
September 12, 2014
I pick this book up because it was free and I like cheesy romance. But It was nothing but disappointment.
1) All I ask is to make your character consistent. I don't know a single 'down to earth chick' who plays piano/writes 'songs'(sorry but they were more like cute poems) and while talking to herself goes #SoNotWinning. I'd completely understand if she was talking but in her narration...just no no no no no no.
2)Predictable. Plain and simple;ultimately forgivable offence it's a YA Romance
3)Ken Baker doesn't really get being a teenaged girl,another forgivable offence because you're a guy and you basicly got the jest of it.
Warring A Bit Ranty
and spoilers?
4) Should be noted I almost threw the book down the stairs when it said ' "If you want how to have sex with a vampire, read Twilight," D added. "If you want to learn how to be a bad ass, read Harry" '
Are you kidding me???? First off, Fuck you, I love Harry Potter. It was my fucking childhood waiting every year for the new book to come out, But Just because I like harry potter doesn't mean I can't like Twilight. a) Twilight's not even about sex if anything it's a cock tease. b) If you really read it and pay attention to Bella and not Edward, It's about choices and how you have to live with the decisions you make even if its hard you stick to them.
To all those who don't like twilight before you get on my case
YES Twilight is filled with angst I'm aware.
And NO I'm not talking about the decision between Edward and Jacob
even though yes that is One significant choice.
I'm referring to the when
-Bella choices to live with charlie so her mom can be with her new husband even though she hates the cold and rain but she goes through with it so her mother can be happy.
-When Bella decides she needs to figure out what to do when shes freaking out in the woods after she realizes that Edward might not be human and coming to the realization that she actual lives in a world with mythical creatures.
-And her most important decision to go and save her mother from (I know you hate them sparkling but even if they have more glitter then Kesha you do not want to run into them in a dark ally I know this is hard for haters to grasp but they can crush steal while brushing against it) James who she knows is going to kill her.
Ok I promise that's my only rant.
5)I kinda lost my point after getting ranty
but if you like super cheesy #likeOMG story's then you'll like this book :)
1) All I ask is to make your character consistent. I don't know a single 'down to earth chick' who plays piano/writes 'songs'(sorry but they were more like cute poems) and while talking to herself goes #SoNotWinning. I'd completely understand if she was talking but in her narration...just no no no no no no.
2)Predictable. Plain and simple;ultimately forgivable offence it's a YA Romance
3)Ken Baker doesn't really get being a teenaged girl,another forgivable offence because you're a guy and you basicly got the jest of it.
Warring A Bit Ranty
and spoilers?
4) Should be noted I almost threw the book down the stairs when it said ' "If you want how to have sex with a vampire, read Twilight," D added. "If you want to learn how to be a bad ass, read Harry" '
Are you kidding me???? First off, Fuck you, I love Harry Potter. It was my fucking childhood waiting every year for the new book to come out, But Just because I like harry potter doesn't mean I can't like Twilight. a) Twilight's not even about sex if anything it's a cock tease. b) If you really read it and pay attention to Bella and not Edward, It's about choices and how you have to live with the decisions you make even if its hard you stick to them.
To all those who don't like twilight before you get on my case
YES Twilight is filled with angst I'm aware.
And NO I'm not talking about the decision between Edward and Jacob
even though yes that is One significant choice.
I'm referring to the when
-Bella choices to live with charlie so her mom can be with her new husband even though she hates the cold and rain but she goes through with it so her mother can be happy.
-When Bella decides she needs to figure out what to do when shes freaking out in the woods after she realizes that Edward might not be human and coming to the realization that she actual lives in a world with mythical creatures.
-And her most important decision to go and save her mother from (I know you hate them sparkling but even if they have more glitter then Kesha you do not want to run into them in a dark ally I know this is hard for haters to grasp but they can crush steal while brushing against it) James who she knows is going to kill her.
Ok I promise that's my only rant.
5)I kinda lost my point after getting ranty
but if you like super cheesy #likeOMG story's then you'll like this book :)
January 30, 2013
Josie is a normal 9th grader who can’t wait for summer to arrive. She loves to write songs, hang out with her best friends Ashley and Christopher, and obsess over her favorite singer, Peter Maxx.
Peter is 16 and would like to have a normal life. Most people imagine his life as a teen pop star is all glamour, but the truth is, he’s exhausted half-way through a 40-concert tour that has him constantly in the spotlight.
When Josie and Peter meet by chance when he stops by her high school to give an award in a video contest, the sparks fly. But can a teen star expect to have a normal relationship with a regular girl?
Fangirl by Ken Baker goes back and forth as it tells the story from both Josie’s and Peter’s perspective. Josie is kind of shy and writes lyrics when she’s trying to make sense of the things in her life. And with her parents’ recent divorce it seems like a lot of things don’t make sense. Peter struggles to stand out as a person, not just an icon. His dad, who sees fame as something fleeting to be pursued while the iron is hot, pushes him to perform.
Fangirl is every girl’s fantasy—what girl wouldn’t want to get to know the famous celebrity she has a crush on—but it’s also interesting to read about how Josie stays true to herself despite the pressure she feels to act in ways that Peter will like.
Moms who read this with their daughters may need an interpreter to figure out the abbreviations in the text messages that go back and forth between Josie and Peter, but it’s still fun to read. Girls aged 12 to 14 will especially like Fangirl.
The publisher gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Peter is 16 and would like to have a normal life. Most people imagine his life as a teen pop star is all glamour, but the truth is, he’s exhausted half-way through a 40-concert tour that has him constantly in the spotlight.
When Josie and Peter meet by chance when he stops by her high school to give an award in a video contest, the sparks fly. But can a teen star expect to have a normal relationship with a regular girl?
Fangirl by Ken Baker goes back and forth as it tells the story from both Josie’s and Peter’s perspective. Josie is kind of shy and writes lyrics when she’s trying to make sense of the things in her life. And with her parents’ recent divorce it seems like a lot of things don’t make sense. Peter struggles to stand out as a person, not just an icon. His dad, who sees fame as something fleeting to be pursued while the iron is hot, pushes him to perform.
Fangirl is every girl’s fantasy—what girl wouldn’t want to get to know the famous celebrity she has a crush on—but it’s also interesting to read about how Josie stays true to herself despite the pressure she feels to act in ways that Peter will like.
Moms who read this with their daughters may need an interpreter to figure out the abbreviations in the text messages that go back and forth between Josie and Peter, but it’s still fun to read. Girls aged 12 to 14 will especially like Fangirl.
The publisher gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 29, 2021
I have to admit when I was roaming the library for a book to read I was looking for a celebrity and fan romance story. I actually read Fangirl because I wanted to read a good old clichéd romance.
I did, however, find myself liking several of the special moments, they were the type that makes you go aw and ew. As a result, they got too much at one point.
Josie seemed a bit too fake, too perfect. It seemed that everything worked out for her, that all her problems were solved to fit her liking. At some point, I also thought that Josie was naive for running after a celebrity. She might have thought she was getting closer to her true love but in a way, she was destroying his life.
Something I would like to point out are the small messages that are scattered throughout the story. Some were so inspiring that I actually wrote them down. There were messages about love and heartbreak. Some that I will always remember are, in order to be loved your heart has to break first. The second was when Josie and Peter were texting. He asked her if she believed in God; her response was beautiful. She said yes because she believed in love and God is love. I will always keep that in my heart, it’s so touching.
This is a good book if you are looking for something clichéd and well, perfect. Although, if you are fed up with novels about finding true love and living the ideal life, this book isn’t for you. All in all, it was an okay book.
I did, however, find myself liking several of the special moments, they were the type that makes you go aw and ew. As a result, they got too much at one point.
Josie seemed a bit too fake, too perfect. It seemed that everything worked out for her, that all her problems were solved to fit her liking. At some point, I also thought that Josie was naive for running after a celebrity. She might have thought she was getting closer to her true love but in a way, she was destroying his life.
Something I would like to point out are the small messages that are scattered throughout the story. Some were so inspiring that I actually wrote them down. There were messages about love and heartbreak. Some that I will always remember are, in order to be loved your heart has to break first. The second was when Josie and Peter were texting. He asked her if she believed in God; her response was beautiful. She said yes because she believed in love and God is love. I will always keep that in my heart, it’s so touching.
This is a good book if you are looking for something clichéd and well, perfect. Although, if you are fed up with novels about finding true love and living the ideal life, this book isn’t for you. All in all, it was an okay book.
April 20, 2013
I found this book when I was watching E! News on tv. They were saying that their news correspondent, Ken Baker, was releasing a book and signing copies at Barnes and Noble. When I found out it was basically the fangirl bible, I picked it up and loved every minute of it. It was as if he was inside every fangirls head and knew exactly what we fans go through. This is especially relevant if you are a Justin Bieber, One Direction, or Cody Simpson fan. Or anyone in general. Great book with great meaning.
June 21, 2013
"Fangirl" was fantastic and I absolutely loved it! I loved how the story line was about a modern day pop star's struggle with fame and an ordinary girl's hopes and dreams. Josie and Peter were my favorite characters because they were funny, kind and considerate, passionate about music, mature for their ages, and talented. Ken Baker is an exceptionally talented and gifted first-time author who I believe did a phenomenal job. Anyone looking for a YA novel that incorporates romance, humor, drama, music, and an overall excellent story will surely not be disappointed with "Fangirl!"
May 2, 2015
This was a pretty quick read for me. I honestly don't know how I feel about the ending- about how she just forgave him. I found the hashtags and the phrases she used kind of annoying. I liked the concept of this book, just not everything about it. A pretty good, quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2021
Great snapshot of if a fan dated a celebrity. I described it like a fanfic. I also liked how the author used his experiences as an entertainment reporter to enhance the story.
April 21, 2021
😩 perfection
April 24, 2015
Main Characters: Josie Brant; Peter Maxx, pop star; Christopher, boy BFF; Ashley Rogers, Josie’s alleged friend; Sandy Jones, Peter’s former girlfriend; Delilah, Josie’s friend and neighbor
Setting: Current day Bakersfield, CA
Theme: High School High-Low; Growing up; friendship and betrayal; adoration of celebrities
Summary: Josie is an average fourteen year old high school student from Bakersfield. She is a good student, is on the swim team, and likes to write songs during her free time. Her favorite musician is a sixteen year old performer named Peter Maxx.
Things begin changing the day after attending a Peter Maxx concert with her friend Ashley. The two girls were escorted to a room where they learned that Ashley has won the “Sing it to the Maxx” contest with a video of her singing one of Josie’s songs. Josie learned about this as she watched her friend hug their favorite celebrity. Ashley admitted that the song was actually written by Josie, which prompted Peter to start up a conversation with Josie, resulting in his getting her twitter information.
An online relationship began between Peter and Josie. At this same time, Josie’s dad was arrested for growing medical marijuana on his farm, destroying Josie’s relationship in the process. Peter offers to pay for her to spend a weekend in Las Vegas, if she will come out to meet him. Josie jumps at the opportunity. She lies to her mother, and convinces her neighbor, Delilah, to drive them both out.
The first night in Las Vegas is wonderful, until someone makes an anonymous tip to a tabloid news source that Peter is cheating on his “girlfriend” with a fan. In the morning, Peter accuses Josie of betraying him, and sends her home, forcing her to walk past hostile reporters on the way out of the hotel. She returns home to an even more battered reputation, a furious mother, even her loyal friend Christopher refuses to talk to her.
After being so cruel to Josie, Peter investigates the messages sent to the media. As it turns out, his ex-girlfriend, Sandy, was the anonymous tipster and had hacked into his phone messages. Josie’s reputation is publically cleared, and she resumes her relationship with Peter. He posts bond so that Josie’s family can be reunited, and the couple collaborate musically.
Strengths/Weaknesses: This is an easily decodable story dealing with issues that could appeal to preteen and teenaged girls, such as the need to express oneself, bullying, idolizing celebrities, and divorced families. The plot is a stretch, particularly the happy ending where everything turns out perfectly.
Target Audience: Girls, ages 11 to 15
Personal Critique: This book was just a bit too much of a stretch for me to truly enjoy it. However, it fills a need. In addition to its being easy to decode, it also deals with emerging sexuality without sex, which keeps it more appropriate for the target audience. While it may not be my cup of tea, this book may be a great choice for someone else.
Setting: Current day Bakersfield, CA
Theme: High School High-Low; Growing up; friendship and betrayal; adoration of celebrities
Summary: Josie is an average fourteen year old high school student from Bakersfield. She is a good student, is on the swim team, and likes to write songs during her free time. Her favorite musician is a sixteen year old performer named Peter Maxx.
Things begin changing the day after attending a Peter Maxx concert with her friend Ashley. The two girls were escorted to a room where they learned that Ashley has won the “Sing it to the Maxx” contest with a video of her singing one of Josie’s songs. Josie learned about this as she watched her friend hug their favorite celebrity. Ashley admitted that the song was actually written by Josie, which prompted Peter to start up a conversation with Josie, resulting in his getting her twitter information.
An online relationship began between Peter and Josie. At this same time, Josie’s dad was arrested for growing medical marijuana on his farm, destroying Josie’s relationship in the process. Peter offers to pay for her to spend a weekend in Las Vegas, if she will come out to meet him. Josie jumps at the opportunity. She lies to her mother, and convinces her neighbor, Delilah, to drive them both out.
The first night in Las Vegas is wonderful, until someone makes an anonymous tip to a tabloid news source that Peter is cheating on his “girlfriend” with a fan. In the morning, Peter accuses Josie of betraying him, and sends her home, forcing her to walk past hostile reporters on the way out of the hotel. She returns home to an even more battered reputation, a furious mother, even her loyal friend Christopher refuses to talk to her.
After being so cruel to Josie, Peter investigates the messages sent to the media. As it turns out, his ex-girlfriend, Sandy, was the anonymous tipster and had hacked into his phone messages. Josie’s reputation is publically cleared, and she resumes her relationship with Peter. He posts bond so that Josie’s family can be reunited, and the couple collaborate musically.
Strengths/Weaknesses: This is an easily decodable story dealing with issues that could appeal to preteen and teenaged girls, such as the need to express oneself, bullying, idolizing celebrities, and divorced families. The plot is a stretch, particularly the happy ending where everything turns out perfectly.
Target Audience: Girls, ages 11 to 15
Personal Critique: This book was just a bit too much of a stretch for me to truly enjoy it. However, it fills a need. In addition to its being easy to decode, it also deals with emerging sexuality without sex, which keeps it more appropriate for the target audience. While it may not be my cup of tea, this book may be a great choice for someone else.
December 4, 2015
Well. I was looking for a light and fun read from Fangirl: a cotton-candy sort of book. The cover and the blurb made it seem exactly right. But, sadly, real cotton candy is delicious and amazing and sugary and clearly the food of the gods, while this book... no. Fangirl does not deserve to be compared to cotton candy. Fangirl is that old bag of kettle-cooked potato chips that's been sitting in your car for the longest time, the one you only crack open in case of starvation -- the one you tell yourself is better than nothing, when, really, it isn't.
I finished this book in a few hours, and the author's voice wasn't awful. But I just couldn't get into this book. For one thing, the blurb makes Josie sound much more sensible and far less obsessed than I found her to be. And I had a few basic objections to the premise that just plain bugged me while I read.
Short version: DO NOT READ IT. Just don't.
And here it is in the form of a rambling rant:
Firstly, Josie is fourteen. An almost-fifteen fourteen, but... fourteen! Whenever I read a teen novel romance, I like to imagine the characters eventually get married and have 2.34 children and have a happy ending. Call me an idealist. But Josie's fourteen, and Max is sixteen, and there is no way, even deep in my deeply optimistic heart, I can see that lasting. How can two stupid kids (this coming from a teenage girl) who have only communicated by texting possibly know that they are soul mates? Their whole relationship, and the story in general, felt really rushed and shallow. (Plus, they were supposed to have a deep connection based on her listening to his song lyrics, and vice versa--but in a different part, it's said Peter usually doesn't even write his own songs. Where exactly does that leave their relationship?)
Also, in general, character development wasn't great. Or, rather, it wasn't there. I couldn't for the life of me give a good description of Josie's friends, and most of what I can tell you about Peter or Josie would be a direct quote from the text.
On the subject f her friends, what was that thing with her "BBFF" supposed to be, anyway? Was it just stuck in because love triangles are mandatory in teen fiction? We know nothing about him, and (small spoiler) he drops out of the running almost as soon as we realize he's in it. (end spoiler)
And the current language just annoyed the crap out of me. I'm sorry, but I do not want to see #hashtags or the word "totes" in my reading material. How can I possibly respect someone who would say "totes"? In experience--and, again, as a teenage girl--I can confirm I have never heard anyone actually say that word. Ever. And that gives me hope for humanity.
To sum up the rant: shallow characters, hard-to-buy romance, and no redeeming factors. I wish I could take back the hours I spent reading this thing.
I finished this book in a few hours, and the author's voice wasn't awful. But I just couldn't get into this book. For one thing, the blurb makes Josie sound much more sensible and far less obsessed than I found her to be. And I had a few basic objections to the premise that just plain bugged me while I read.
Short version: DO NOT READ IT. Just don't.
And here it is in the form of a rambling rant:
Firstly, Josie is fourteen. An almost-fifteen fourteen, but... fourteen! Whenever I read a teen novel romance, I like to imagine the characters eventually get married and have 2.34 children and have a happy ending. Call me an idealist. But Josie's fourteen, and Max is sixteen, and there is no way, even deep in my deeply optimistic heart, I can see that lasting. How can two stupid kids (this coming from a teenage girl) who have only communicated by texting possibly know that they are soul mates? Their whole relationship, and the story in general, felt really rushed and shallow. (Plus, they were supposed to have a deep connection based on her listening to his song lyrics, and vice versa--but in a different part, it's said Peter usually doesn't even write his own songs. Where exactly does that leave their relationship?)
Also, in general, character development wasn't great. Or, rather, it wasn't there. I couldn't for the life of me give a good description of Josie's friends, and most of what I can tell you about Peter or Josie would be a direct quote from the text.
On the subject f her friends, what was that thing with her "BBFF" supposed to be, anyway? Was it just stuck in because love triangles are mandatory in teen fiction? We know nothing about him, and (small spoiler) he drops out of the running almost as soon as we realize he's in it. (end spoiler)
And the current language just annoyed the crap out of me. I'm sorry, but I do not want to see #hashtags or the word "totes" in my reading material. How can I possibly respect someone who would say "totes"? In experience--and, again, as a teenage girl--I can confirm I have never heard anyone actually say that word. Ever. And that gives me hope for humanity.
To sum up the rant: shallow characters, hard-to-buy romance, and no redeeming factors. I wish I could take back the hours I spent reading this thing.
December 12, 2013
Original review can be found @ Books & Swoons
Fangirl is cute story, which I believe is geared towards a younger audience. It’s full of pop-culture, abbreviations and hashtags. This story is told from both Josie and Peter’s point of view which give the reader a better general picture of what is going on in the story. Overall it was an easy read, and it contained some plot twists that I wasn't expecting and kept me turning pages.
Josie, our main character, is the typical teenage girl who is shy and artistic. She prides herself in not being like everyone else. I like that after Peter realized his mistake, and comes back asking for Josie’s forgiveness she didn't just give in because he’s a super star. Josie is a little stubborn and immature but through the book there is definitely some character growth.
Peter is the stereotypical pop super star (That sounds so cheesy), who is going through an unhappy stage in his life. Even though he knows he should be thankful for all that he has, Peter often feels lonely and wishes he could have a normal life. When he meets Josie at a school appearance he is intrigued by her and is determined to get to know her in hopes of finding a connection and some normalcy.
There were a few narration issues here and there in the book which was a little distracting. Also in the chapters that were from Josie’s point of view and issue of the hashtags after certain phrases that I couldn't really get into. Other than that, it was a decent story with a happy ending.
Bottom line:
I would recommend this story to readers between the ages of 12 and 15. If you are interested in a easy read, and have every fantasized about being with a pop-star this maybe the book for you.
Until next time...
Fangirl is cute story, which I believe is geared towards a younger audience. It’s full of pop-culture, abbreviations and hashtags. This story is told from both Josie and Peter’s point of view which give the reader a better general picture of what is going on in the story. Overall it was an easy read, and it contained some plot twists that I wasn't expecting and kept me turning pages.
Josie, our main character, is the typical teenage girl who is shy and artistic. She prides herself in not being like everyone else. I like that after Peter realized his mistake, and comes back asking for Josie’s forgiveness she didn't just give in because he’s a super star. Josie is a little stubborn and immature but through the book there is definitely some character growth.
Peter is the stereotypical pop super star (That sounds so cheesy), who is going through an unhappy stage in his life. Even though he knows he should be thankful for all that he has, Peter often feels lonely and wishes he could have a normal life. When he meets Josie at a school appearance he is intrigued by her and is determined to get to know her in hopes of finding a connection and some normalcy.
There were a few narration issues here and there in the book which was a little distracting. Also in the chapters that were from Josie’s point of view and issue of the hashtags after certain phrases that I couldn't really get into. Other than that, it was a decent story with a happy ending.
Bottom line:
I would recommend this story to readers between the ages of 12 and 15. If you are interested in a easy read, and have every fantasized about being with a pop-star this maybe the book for you.
Until next time...
April 20, 2016
I just finished this book and I can't wait to write down the review. FYI, I recently watched Justin Bieber's two autobiography/movie and i'm so into him(14 April 2016 specifically as a fan), not in a way of a Belieber just a tiny fan that love his music, because he is so talented and his music play through my heart. And I've started reading this book before I fan JB,so I don't know it did somehow related a little teeny tiny bit to him. When I read the book I was like 'whoa they have similarity'. And so I continue reading it to the end. There are so many things in this book that a fangirl would fan about, like Harry Potter or an idol or just Twitter. It just so close to me as I am a fangirl for lots of things myself. And I like that. And there are so many wonderful and meaningful sentences in it that will inspire a person. I love how the plot twist so suddenly at the end and instead of just a songwriter, Josie became a singer same stage with Peter aka the idol. And I was so sad that it just ends, although it ends in a happy ending but I was hoping for more Josie's moments after she's famous but i'm okay with this ending too. This book tells us 'a fangirl can dream'. But.....I don't think it will happen in my ordinary life, those miracle or special or fun things, but still, a girl can dream right?
Read
December 27, 2012I found this book and was drawn to it by both the title and the cover first. Soon after, the story had me hooked too. I loved reading it and though it is a simple read, it's a GOOD simple read. Unfortunately, there are good things and bad things about all books--in this one, the two I would have to say are that the climax is, for me at least, unsatisfying(where's the falling action? It doesn't exist!) and that the actual writing isn't the best I've ever seen (I realize it's in the words of a teenage girl but I hate too many abbreviations). HOWEVER, I enjoyed the story quite a bit, and this was one of those "can't put it down" books (not that all books aren't like that for me). The story tells of a fangirl falling in love with a pop star, and what real-life fangirl doesn't dream of doing that? Books that make up stories about things that you want to experience but probably won't ever happen, are the kind that can make you smile. If written well enough, I feel that they can really make you live the dream in your head. This book is, in my opinion, a worthwhile read. Just try and extend the ending in your imagination, and it's a fantastic read.Fangirl
January 5, 2015
It's cute. I did find it a bit entertain, but not believable. The characters themselves are interesting. I loved the way the story was told from the POV of both our main characters.
Josie is a normal teenage girl/songwriter, she loves music, her parents are divorced, and her dad is in jail for reasons you find out when he arrested. Peter is a superstar would wants a normal life. They meet by chance and admittedly Peter falls for her and twitter stalk her.....I mean messages her on twitter....then twitter stalks her when she doesn't answer right away. *sighs* They met once at this point. twice if you count that he stall her when he was on stage at the concert the night before and remembered because he liked her shirt. There romance gets worse form there.
I would have liked to heard more able the side character. Big Jim saved the day but he often felt more like an after thought. And what every happened to Ashley? I get they stopped being friends but I kind of wanted to see her beg for forgiveness and not get it after she finds out about Josie and Peter.
One of my major problems with the book is how rushed the ending was. We got told a lot but never got to see much of anything.
Over all its cute. I probably wouldn't read it again but I don't feel about about finishing it
Josie is a normal teenage girl/songwriter, she loves music, her parents are divorced, and her dad is in jail for reasons you find out when he arrested. Peter is a superstar would wants a normal life. They meet by chance and admittedly Peter falls for her and twitter stalk her.....I mean messages her on twitter....then twitter stalks her when she doesn't answer right away. *sighs* They met once at this point. twice if you count that he stall her when he was on stage at the concert the night before and remembered because he liked her shirt. There romance gets worse form there.
I would have liked to heard more able the side character. Big Jim saved the day but he often felt more like an after thought. And what every happened to Ashley? I get they stopped being friends but I kind of wanted to see her beg for forgiveness and not get it after she finds out about Josie and Peter.
One of my major problems with the book is how rushed the ending was. We got told a lot but never got to see much of anything.
Over all its cute. I probably wouldn't read it again but I don't feel about about finishing it
April 27, 2014
Okay - let's get it out of the way. The cover is horrible. It just is. My husband told me so. What can I say, this was a total impulse buy. My book buys usually work totally in my favor. I do a good job of choosing books, even ones I've never heard of, that I come to enjoy.
That was not the case in this situation.
Fangirl had a good premise. Fantastical as it was, I was looking forward to reading any fangirl's dream come true - meeting your star crush and *gasp* they happen to like you too! That is, in fact, what happens in the case with Josie crushing on Peter and Peter realizing, hey, this fangirl is not so bad! However, that's where my interest pretty much dropped off in this story. All the characters are oh so shallow in their character development. There was potential for a deeper story (yes, there was), but characters were just sort of...plopped on the page. I didn't come to care for anyone of them. I think I might have cared more for D, who was a supporting character. In fact, she had more character development in one paragraph than any of the main characters in the whole book.
That was not the case in this situation.
Fangirl had a good premise. Fantastical as it was, I was looking forward to reading any fangirl's dream come true - meeting your star crush and *gasp* they happen to like you too! That is, in fact, what happens in the case with Josie crushing on Peter and Peter realizing, hey, this fangirl is not so bad! However, that's where my interest pretty much dropped off in this story. All the characters are oh so shallow in their character development. There was potential for a deeper story (yes, there was), but characters were just sort of...plopped on the page. I didn't come to care for anyone of them. I think I might have cared more for D, who was a supporting character. In fact, she had more character development in one paragraph than any of the main characters in the whole book.
February 12, 2017
A wonderful book!! At first maybe it might be boring but definitely gets better! I related to the whole fangirl aspect and the song lyrics throughout were amazing!! Yes, it might have been predictable at times but the emotion behind everything was genuine and good. I only wish there were fewer mentions of Justin Bieber.
November 15, 2015
This book is not for you if you are:
A. Male
B. Over 20
C. Not crushing on any celebrity
Simply put, this book is marketed specifically at the Beliebers (or any other teen sensation's fans) of the world.
It has accomplished to a certain extent to humanize the "I just want to be a normal dude" pop-star, but only to a very very very small degree. On the other hand, the character of fangirl, Josie in this case, for me is just butchered. She is too one-dimensional and stereotypical as the main character. The side characters are even worse, no character development, none-what-so-ever for any of them. The storyline is as predictable as one that is marketable to... well... fangirls. Fangirl meets star, star falls in love with fangirl, drama, reconciliation, happy ending.
Again, it's an okay or perhaps even perfect book for you if you're a fangirl, but if you're not, stay far away.
A. Male
B. Over 20
C. Not crushing on any celebrity
Simply put, this book is marketed specifically at the Beliebers (or any other teen sensation's fans) of the world.
It has accomplished to a certain extent to humanize the "I just want to be a normal dude" pop-star, but only to a very very very small degree. On the other hand, the character of fangirl, Josie in this case, for me is just butchered. She is too one-dimensional and stereotypical as the main character. The side characters are even worse, no character development, none-what-so-ever for any of them. The storyline is as predictable as one that is marketable to... well... fangirls. Fangirl meets star, star falls in love with fangirl, drama, reconciliation, happy ending.
Again, it's an okay or perhaps even perfect book for you if you're a fangirl, but if you're not, stay far away.
July 6, 2012
When the booth staffer pushed this into my hands, I was dubious of the title, but what the hey. So, I walked off with my autogrpahed ARC. It happened to stay on top of the pile, and I actually read it on the trip. The beginning is pretty trite, and I read on really to see if the book would exceed my expectations. It did. It isn't great literature, but it is an interesting read. A normal girl in CA is a fan of a Justin Bieber-ish star. Due to a convoluted series of events, she meets him - and there is electricity. He wants a normal girl and she wants to write songs. Somehow, they manage to survive the drama and the book ends quite happily. The overall plot arc remains fairly trite, but I think many teens will enjoy the (very) lite read.
December 16, 2012
When I first picked up this book it looked amazingly interesting. Then I started reading it. The reviews on the back are from people who well let's just say are not very popular in the reading world, there are grammar mistakes and characters repeating movements, and the first page contains one of many hashtags spread throughout the book. But don't let all of that stop you, because between the moments I wanted to bang my head against the wall because of the huge stereotypes in this book there is a lot of amazing things in the story as well. I couldn't put it down. It is probably the quickest I have finished a book in a year. Although I think this easy read would be much better as a movie and have spent hours making fun of it with friends, it's worth a chance to read.
September 15, 2015
No one. Absolutely NO ONE actually talks like this. I understand that teens love abbreviations and nicknames (I was one not very long ago and have been known to use an occasional "totes"), but Baker blows it out of the water. He is very clearly an adult trying to emulate teen speech and simply created a deranged imitation of language that no one would ever use. I couldn't lose myself in the story because I kept rolling me eyes at the ridiculous speech patterns.
The romance was also far too rushed to be at all relatable or believable. He could have significantly cut down the character introductions and backstories and focused on the heroes' dialogue to create a realistic and charming love story.
I tried. I just couldn't buy it.
The romance was also far too rushed to be at all relatable or believable. He could have significantly cut down the character introductions and backstories and focused on the heroes' dialogue to create a realistic and charming love story.
I tried. I just couldn't buy it.
April 15, 2013
Meh. Firstly, the bulk of the conflict happens in the last 20pp and is basically resolved in the last 2 or 3. There are some other threads throughout, but the changes all hinge on this experience of dating a pop star and it just kind of left me wondering where the rest was. Also, while I understand the use of text speak here, it still drove me nuts. Mostly harmless bubblegum fluff, which, given the subject matter, I suppose I should' ve expected. Still, a better love story than Twilight. But let's face it, that's a low bar. :) (There is some random, context logical Twilight bashing in this book. Probably why it got three stars instead of two.)
July 12, 2013
I picked this up because there's another book with the same title coming out in the fall, and this caught my eye while searching. It was awful. Terribly cliched, bad bad bad writing. This author needs to put down his thesaurus and then to get an actual editor to rein him in. (Those big 50-cent words? I do not think they mean what you think they mean......) The text-speak was painful. The "romance" was pathetic. I couldn't even make myself finish (though I peeked at the painful end, just to see how painful it was).
Oh well, the other Fangirl will be so much better than this! :)
If you want to read about a Justin Bieber-esque character, read The Love Song of Jonny Valentine instead.
Oh well, the other Fangirl will be so much better than this! :)
If you want to read about a Justin Bieber-esque character, read The Love Song of Jonny Valentine instead.
December 20, 2012
Every girl who has ever loved a celebrity this is your back
Like any other girl in the world Josie loves a famous boy pop star in this case Peter Maxx when her friend when's the to the Maxx contest for her Josie get to meet Peter an it's love at first sight
Then crazy stuff happens her dad gets in jail, she goes to Vegas and Peter has an argument with her thinking she leaked secrets to the press.
THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING THOUGH
This is a must read for any fan girl and Josie's story is a dream come true 4 a lot I us
Like any other girl in the world Josie loves a famous boy pop star in this case Peter Maxx when her friend when's the to the Maxx contest for her Josie get to meet Peter an it's love at first sight
Then crazy stuff happens her dad gets in jail, she goes to Vegas and Peter has an argument with her thinking she leaked secrets to the press.
THERE IS A HAPPY ENDING THOUGH
This is a must read for any fan girl and Josie's story is a dream come true 4 a lot I us
July 29, 2014
Okay..... the characters were shallow.... and the conversation at the beginning, with the adults at least, was stunted and annoyingly itchy. It made me think "you can't just create a little more talking that doesn't feel so forced?" I get it. It's an adult. But some kids can talk without saying "whatever" whether mentally or out loud.
Ending was cute.
Best quote from the entire book? (Might be paraphrasing, cos i'm not sure of the exact words.) "If you want to learn how to have sex with a vampire, read Twilight. If you want to be bad ass, read Harry [Potter]."
Ending was cute.
Best quote from the entire book? (Might be paraphrasing, cos i'm not sure of the exact words.) "If you want to learn how to have sex with a vampire, read Twilight. If you want to be bad ass, read Harry [Potter]."
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